When the Chicago Bears started their hunt for a new quarterback in 2017, a lot of people were begging them to make a serious effort to trade for Jimmy Garoppolo. A former 2nd round pick, he’d developed for a few years behind Tom Brady and appeared ready for his opportunity to start. It would’ve made so much sense.

Why? The local aspect. Garoppolo grew up in Rolling Meadows and went to college at Eastern Illinois. Imagine the story. A homegrown quarterback talent comes to Chicago to raise the Bears out of the mud. Unfortunately, it didn’t go down that way. New England was reluctant to trade him during the offseason. So the Bears focused on the draft, eventually taking Mitch Trubisky.

A couple of months later, the 49ers secured Garoppolo for a 2nd round pick

After a rocky first two seasons marred by injury, the QB blossomed in 2019. He threw 27 touchdown passes and guided San Francisco to a 13-3 record, reaching Super Bowl LIV. One would think that should secure his place long-term. Sadly 2020 has proven uncooperative. Garoppolo has been hounded by an ankle injury all season, eventually landing him on IR.

Now the 49ers’ fortunes are fading. Some in league circles believe Kyle Shanahan may seize the opportunity to find his next quarterback with a high draft choice next year. Dan Pompei of The Athletic spoke to several front office men. They believe it’s possible Garoppolo could be available next offseason.

Should the Bears consider it?

Jimmy Garoppolo is a fun idea but a huge risk

Here’s the thing. Garoppolo has proven he can be effective when he’s healthy. Give him protection and he has the quick release and accuracy to find the open receivers. The concern for evaluators is obviously his durability but also how he doesn’t always show out well when the team has to put a game on his shoulders.

“The jury is still out on him,” one of the sources said. “I think he needs a strong cast around him.”

Another front office man said he believes the 49ers will stick with him after investing heavily in him. But he’s not so sure he would do the same.

“If you have to put it on his shoulders to win it, he’s not that guy,” he says. “I always thought he was a good backup.”

So is he worth the risk? That comes down to the price. A 2nd round pick seems too pricey. Even a 3rd rounder is a bit much. Especially given that contract, with or without most of the guaranteed money. The Bears already traded away picks on other QB flops like Trubisky and Nick Foles. Do they really want to give up more for another guy who struggles to stay healthy and doesn’t look to be franchise-caliber?

There is no doubt Garoppolo is a winner.

A 24-8 record can’t be ignored. Yet a lot of that should be credited to the elite level of talent he’s played with. A benefit he’s likely not going to enjoy in Chicago. The hometown kid story is fun. It doesn’t hold much basis in reality though. This guy isn’t the savior this organization is searching for.

Now could he be a bridge to the next option? That is something else. Jimmy Garoppolo could be a guy who runs this offense efficiently enough to keep it average. That isn’t a bad thing with the quality defense the Bears have. He would enable the regime to buy time until they can find that true QB they’ve been searching for.

Beyond that? Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t worth the effort or the resources.